Guest Speakers: Ariel Burgess, Chris A. Jackson, & Bobby Nash
Alright, so what does it mean to work on a Licensed Property? Basically, you’re writing fan-fiction in an already established world and getting paid for it – which is AWESOME! Some examples of this would be Wizards of the Coast (Dungeons & Dragons/Magic The Gathering), PAIZO (Pathfinder/Starfinder), DC Comics (Batman/Harley Quinn), etc.
If you’re a beginner (like me), DriveThruRPG is a great source to explore content and other publishers. They also offer the option to help you get started with your own games. This is a fantastic stepping stone to gain experience as a GM (Game-Master) and Independent Creator!
Another way of testing the waters is to try your hand at contests. TOR Books holds contests on occasion, so it’s worth making a free account and keeping an eye open for them!
After establishing some sales and credibility, seek out 3rd party publishers – something like Legendary Games or Fantasy Flight. Whichever route you decide to go, treat it like a business. Be friendly, but understand this is a professional relationship. Ask for their budget and find out what their expectations are. Know the game that you are applying to write for!
Now, what happens if a publisher comes to you? If you’re not familiar with their content, then ask them to send you their handbooks (so you can learn their world and the rules therein.) If they refuse, then it’s best to walk away.
Being a writer, you obviously want to protect yourself, and it’s important to know the difference between Copyright and Trademark. Look into copyright applications – if you’ve already got a story, then attach “Copyright Applied For” on the draft so publishers know that you are retaining those rights. Publishers will keep the rights for Trademark – this protects their name, brand identity, slogan, etc.
Sign up for Google Alerts to notify you if other people are using your work without permission. Let your publisher know if this happens, as it is their responsibility to put a stop to it.
If you do pay-per-word contracts, make sure it is specified when you will get paid. 30 days is the typical standard, but anything longer than 60 days is usually best to walk away from. Installment plans are another option, where you get part of the payment up front (after establishing the terms/agreement of the contract), part in the middle (making sure everything is up to the standards the publisher is looking for, making corrective revisions, etc.), and part at the end (when the job is complete.)
Find out what the deadlines are. Ask for details of what the publishers expect in regards to content. Let them know if you have projects ahead of them, and ask if you can start at a specific time. Be up front and honest about your schedule and capabilities – do NOT over-book yourself!
I cannot overstate how important it is to meet your deadlines! Doing this will help you stand out as a writer, giving you a reputation for reliability which is crucial in this industry! Keep your promises. If something unavoidable comes up, communicate with your publishers and ask for a time-increase or work out another solution.
Do your best to maintain good business relationships and build a network over time. Check out GenCon (a table-top gaming convention) and meet new people! Who knows? Perhaps you’ll get the opportunity to work for some of those bigger companies and land that dream project!
Which world, setting, or universe would you want to write for? Is there anything you’d want to do differently from the original canon? Let me know in the Comments Section below! Also feel free to send me some of your fan-fictions 🙂
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Featured Image Source: Wizards of the Coast